Exelon Nuclear to Perform Testing of New, State-of-the-Art Sirens Around Limerick Generating Station

Residents in the 10-mile emergency planning zone around Limerick Generating Station may hear two siren tests on Monday, April 4, as Exelon Nuclear will conduct a system-wide test of its new, state-of-the-art emergency siren system on Monday, April 4.

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3/30/2011 8:00 PM

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POTTSTOWN, Pa. - Residents in the 10-mile emergency planning zone around Limerick Generating Station may hear two siren tests on Monday, April 4, as Exelon Nuclear will conduct a system-wide test of its new, state-of-the-art emergency siren system on Monday, April 4. This siren activation will be in addition to the routine siren test that will be performed at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 4. All siren testing on April 4 will be completed by 2:30 p.m.

Residents near the plant may hear a steady three-minute tone during both tests.

This siren activation will help the company test the new system that features battery back-up for the sirens prior to its official implementation in spring 2011.

Residents may contact the counties at the following numbers if they have concerns during testing:

Berks County (610) 374-4800Chester County (610) 344-5000Montgomery County (610) 631-6530

The test is performed on the first Monday of each month as part of Exelon Nuclear's comprehensive Emergency Preparedness program. The warning sirens are one of several methods used by county emergency management authorities to provide notification of emergencies. Individual counties may activate the sirens to warn the surrounding community of events such as fires, floods, tornados, hazardous material releases, or nuclear energy plant events.

The sirens are not a signal to evacuate. In an actual emergency, residents should tune to one of the county Emergency Alert System radio or television stations for further information. Should a siren fail to activate, local police and firefighters would alert residents using mobile public address systems or door-to-door notifications.

Residents should refer to the "emergency" section of their telephone books for further emergency response information. Additional information on emergency preparedness is also available at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency web site, www.pema.state.pa.us.

Limerick Generating Station is located approximately 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The plant produces approximately 2,200 net megawatts of carbon-free electricity per hour, enough to power approximately two million homes.